• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best Gallien Krueger Bass head?

Pedulla-Player

Pedulla-Player

Bassist for Reckless Dezire (Wausau, WI)
Supporting Member
Mar 5, 2009
3,209
2,553
Northern Wisconsin
#1
I'm in the market for a Gallien Krueger bass head and I'm kinda torn between a few of them. I bought a Fusion 550 from Musicians Friend two weeks ago and I loved the sound of it , but it had a crackling issue so I returned it. It may have just been a tube , but I didn't have any tubes to swap them out to see if the problem went away. That said - The GK heads that I am curious about are :

#1 - Fusion 550 (may give another one a try if other people think theirs have been reliable)
#2 - MB Fusion 800 (When it's released)
#3 - MB Fusion 500
#4 - MB 800
#5 - MB 500
#6 - 1001 RB
#7 - 800 RB
#8 - 700 RB

I'm sure this question has been asked before.
GK users - What is your favorite GK head (Model and mark)??
Thanks for your input!
 
#4
AdamR said:
love my 800RB but its the only GK Ive tried. That Fusion 550 has me gassing though
Click to expand...

I used an 800 RB from the mid 80's through the early/mid 90's. It was so long ago and I've used so many different amps in-between that I can't remember much about it. I saw Pinback last month and their bassist (Zach Smith) was rocking a 800 RB through a GK410 and a GK 115 (not sure what series cabs though) and he sounded amazing. We'll he is an amazing bassist thou - that may have helped. lol
 
#5
Pedulla-Player said:
I used an 800 RB from the mid 80's through the early/mid 90's. It was so long ago and I've used so many different amps in-between that I can't remember much about it. I saw Pinback last month and their bassist (Zach Smith) was rocking a 800 RB through a GK410 and a GK 115 (not sure what series cabs though) and it sounded pretty sweet. We'll he is an amazing bassist thou - that may have helped. lol
Click to expand...

Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?:rollno::D

My vote goes towards either the 400RB, 800RB, or most recently the Fusion 550.
 
#8
The three GK heads that are my front runners are the Fusion 550 (should I try another one?) , the MB Fusion 500 , and the GK 1001 RB-II. Your input may change my thought process thou.

I just need to sell my GB SM9.2 first though so I can afford to buy a different head.
 
#10
willsellout said:
Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?:rollno::D

My vote goes towards either the 400RB, 800RB, or most recently the Fusion 550.
Click to expand...

I talked to him after the show and he said it wasn't his normal speaker set-up , but he had to go with it for this show.

All I can say is that if you heard him through that rig - your may chage your tune on that statement. It may not work for all people , but it worked for him that night. I was amazed by his playing and bass sound (Tone). It was incredible.
I've been playing bass almost 30 years and I've heard many good sounding bass rigs , and many bad sounding rigs. That was a great sounding rig (I was front row and 15 ft. from his amp) , but I'm not sure what pedals he was using.
 
#14
B-string said:
The Fusion 550 has and is my favorite for years now. 800RB second but to be fair a 700RB II was in contention before the 550 can up. I haven't played the micros since the MB2-500 which I liked but wanted a full size head with the HMS (biamp).
Click to expand...

Yeah the 550, is jaw dropping in person. Huge punchy sound. I'm not a fan of the auto knobs, but everything else about that head is first rate!
 
#16
Pedulla-Player said:
I talked to him after the show and he said it wasn't his normal speaker set-up , but he had to go with it for this show.

All I can say is that if you heard him through that rig - your may chage your tune on that statement. It may not work for all people , but it worked for him that night. I was amazed by his playing and bass sound (Tone). It was incredible.
I've been playing bass almost 30 years and I've heard many good sounding bass rigs , and many bad sounding rigs. That was a great sounding rig (I was front row and 15 ft. from his amp) , but I'm not sure what pedals he was using.
Click to expand...

My post was purely sarcasm based on the speaker guru's attitudes towards mixing speakers. I played a 410 + 115 for years and loved it.
 
#19
I currently own two of those.

1001 RBII
700 RBII

I've twice owned the 800RB

Plus I also have the MB200 micro head and I've had the MB150 combo in the past.

I've tried lots of other heads but GK just works for me and I keep coming back to them. There's no best, it all depends on the sound you're looking for and the power you need.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back